XR2
M.I.A. Lyrics
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Where were you in '92?
Where were you in '92?,92?,92?,92?
This is how we do in the XR2
The boyz look fine, stereos alpine
20/20, thunderbird at 12-0-9
Took a pill, good time all the time
This is how we do in the XR2
The boyz look fine, stereos alpine
20/20, thunderbird at 12-0-9
Took a pill, good time all the time
Brick lane massive
We were like grime
Labyrinth, world dance
Bagley's time
High-top fades
We ain't never paid
Roll up jeans, E's, Lucozade
Versace jeans, shades and chains
We bol in there like we late
DJ, MC's, private raves
Keep it secret, light it, mate
Whistle whistle blow blow
Here we here we go go
Some of them drink Heineken
And some of them drink Bacardi
Some of them talk a lot of shit
And act rowdy
Some say people follow me
Some say people is the key
When the music's got a beat
Then that's what gets me
Some say...
Some say...
When the music's got a beat
Then that's what gets me
Some people think we are stupid
But we are not
XR2, 808
MP3, MC8
XOX the MC5
MTV has ADD
NBC and BET
BBC is OAP
REM KLF
IQ up the ICQ
CB4 CPT
BBD and ATL
PDD had BIG
NYC had R'n'B
OPP YRB
TLC SWV
JO DC
XXX
I heart you
XR2
Whistle whistle blow blow
Here we here we go go
Whistle whistle blow blow
Here we here we go go
Whistle whistle blow blow
Here we here we go go
Whistle whistle blow blow
Here we here we go go go go go go go
M.I.A.'s song "XR2" is a nostalgic ode to the early 1990s, a time of arcade games, acid house, and baggy clothes. The song is named after the Ford Escort XR2, a popular car among British youth in the early '90s. The song refers to different cultural touchstones of the era, such as popular clubs and dance styles, from Labyrinth and World Dance to high-top fades, E's, and Lucozade. The song references different musical genres and their MTV and BET videos that defined music at the time.
M.I.A. sings about the party scene of the era and how they kept it secret, especially private raves with DJ and MCs that kept the energy of the partygoers pumped. In the chorus, M.I.A. sings about the power of music and how it brings people together. She speaks of how people would criticize them and call them stupid, but they knew they weren't. The lyrics once again emphasize the role of music in bringing people together to celebrate their differences and similarities.
Overall, "XR2" is an ode to early '90s youth culture and their collective memory of a fun, wild time in their lives. M.I.A.'s vivid and nostalgic lyrics help the listener transport themselves to that time and imagine what it was like.
Line by Line Meaning
Where were you in '92?
Asking where the listener was during 1992 as a way of paying homage to the '90s rave scene.
This is how we do in the XR2
Explaining how things are done in the Ford Escort XR2 car model that was iconic in the UK rave scene.
The boyz look fine, stereos alpine
Referring to how people dressed and the equipment they used, specifically the high-end Alpine car audio systems.
20/20, thunderbird at 12-0-9
Suggesting that the lyrics could be made up of combinations of car models, but it's not clear what that specific line means.
Took a pill, good time all the time
Alluding to the use of ecstasy or other party drugs in the rave scene as a way to enhance the experience.
Brick lane massive
Referring to a diverse crowd of people from Brick Lane, a street in East London where many immigrants settled and where warehouse raves were held.
We were like grime
Referring to the grime music genre that emerged from the UK garage scene in the early 2000s.
Labyrinth, world dance, Bagley's time
Naming some of the iconic raves and clubs from the 1990s rave scene.
High-top fades, we ain't never paid, roll up jeans, E's, Lucozade
Describing the fashion style and some of the drugs and drinks taken at raves in the early 90s.
Versace jeans, shades and chains, we bol in there like we late
Describing the flashy fashion style and attitude of the youth who attended raves.
DJ, MC's, private raves, keep it secret, light it, mate
Describing the underground nature of raves, which were often held in secret locations and required specific knowledge to attend.
Some of them drink Heineken, and some of them drink Bacardi, some of them talk a lot of shit and act rowdy
Observing the diverse crowd and behaviors at raves.
Some say people follow me, some say people is the key, when the music's got a beat, then that's what gets me
Commenting on the power of music and how it can bring people together.
Some people think we are stupid, but we are not
Defending the rave culture and inviting outsiders to try to understand it.
XR2, 808, MP3, MC8, XOX the MC5, MTV has ADD, NBC and BET, BBC is OAP, REM KLF, IQ up the ICQ, CB4 CPT, BBD and ATL, PDD had BIG, NYC had R'n'B, OPP YRB, TLC SWV, JO DC, XXX, I heart you
Listing various names and acronyms associated with music, media, and technology from different eras, emphasizing the connections and influences between them.
Whistle whistle blow blow, here we here we go go
Inviting everyone to join the party and dance to the music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: THOMAS WESLEY PENTZ, MATHANGI ARULPRAGASAM, DAVID JAMES ANDREW TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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